Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart defect (CHD). This means it is a problem with the heart’s structure that is present at birth. PDA causes problems with blood flow between the heart and lungs.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with a PDA, Banner Health is here to help. We’ll explain more about this heart defect and how it affects daily life.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect in which a fetal blood vessel, the ductus arteriosus, doesn’t close properly after birth. The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery (which carries blood to the lungs) to the aorta (the body’s main artery).
This vessel is important before birth. During pregnancy (in utero), the ductus arteriosus allows blood to skip the lungs, which aren’t used until after birth. When a baby is born, the vessel should close on its own within a few days.
If the ductus doesn’t close, it is a patent (open) ductus arteriosus. The PDA lets oxygen-rich blood from the aorta mix with oxygen-poor (low-oxygen) blood in the pulmonary artery. This causes too much blood to flow into the baby’s lungs.
Over time, this condition can weaken the heart and lead to pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).
There are five types of PDAs that are determined by their shape and location:
Children are born with PDAs. They happen when the baby’s heart grows during pregnancy. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, it is most common in premature infants (babies born before 37 weeks). PDAs may be passed down in families (genetic/inherited).
Some things may increase the risk of a baby having PDA. Other risk factors include:
Learn more about the causes and risk factors of congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Many children with PDA have no symptoms, especially if the hole is small.
However, if the PDA is large, it can cause:
The symptoms of PDA can seem like other health conditions. Have your child see their health care provider or a pediatric heart specialist for a diagnosis.
Some PDAs are found soon after a child is born. However, smaller ones may not be found until later in life.
Your child’s health care provider (or yours) may hear a heart murmur while listening to your child’s heart (or yours) with a stethoscope. The murmur is from the abnormal flow of blood through the heart.
You may need to see a cardiologist for a diagnosis. This specialist will listen to the heart and lungs and may order one more of these tests:
Diagnosing heart defects like PDA early is very important for long-term health. Learn more about how heart defects are diagnosed.
Treatment of PDA depends on the size of the hole, symptoms, age and general health.
Some small PDAs may close on their own. Your child’s provider may choose to monitor the baby over time to see if it closes on its own. For premature babies, medications like indomethacin or ibuprofen can help close the PDA.
If the PDA is large or doesn’t close on its own, fixing the hole may be recommended, either with cardiac catheterization or heart surgery.
A catheter procedure can be used to place a coil or plug into the PDA to close it. A specially trained cardiologist inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in the groin or arm and guides it to the heart. A device is then sent through the catheter to close the hole.
Recovery time is usually short. Many children and adults can go home the same day or the next.
If catheterization is not an option, open-heart surgery may be recommended. Cardiac surgeons close the opening with stitches or clips. This involves a small cut (incision) in between the ribs on the side of the chest.
Recovery may take a few weeks and usually includes a hospital stay, follow-up appointments and imaging tests.
Your provider will work with you to determine the best approach. Learn more about treatment options for CHDs.
A small PDA may not cause problems. Large untreated PDAs could lead to long-term lung and heart damage, including pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. A child with untreated PDA is also at greater risk for endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves.
With proper care and treatment, most people with PDA lead active, healthy lives. Regular follow-up with a cardiologist is important to monitor heart health. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, to support heart health.
Our Banner Health heart specialists are leading the way in diagnosing and treating a wide range of congenital heart defects, from the most common to the very rare. We treat every patient individually to determine the best treatment for you.
Schedule an appointment today with one of our specialists.
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